Frame for display signs and the like



1930. 1. LKPKOWSKI FRAME FOR DISPLAY SIGNS AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1929 INVENTOR [W477 [z'pkaarslz ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES raTsNT OFFICE IWAN LIPKOWSKI, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN FRAME non DISPLAY Application filed. April 8,

This invention relates to display signs, and more particularly to the frames thereof.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a simple, and compact, display sign, bearing one or morelettcrs or numerals such as those designating the addresses of residences, stores and other buildings, in cities and towns, or legends such as Information, President, c .d the like, wherein the letters or numerals are completely housed and protected from contact with dust and moisture.

A further object of this invention is the construction of a one-piece metallic frame for display signs and the. like, whereby a rear backing plate is provided behind the indieia and integral side and end flanges ar ranged to protect the sides of a transparent slab covering the front face of the indicia, the side flanges being formed with spaced walls between which are firmly secured infolded tabs extending from the top and bottom walls of the frames.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved display sign frame when blanked out and ready for folding.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the top and bottom flanges folded into position and the side flanges folded to an intermediate position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the side flanges folded to their final position, the frame now being ready to receive a transparent slab bearing the indicia on its rear face.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 8, but with the slab in position, and locked within the frame by crimping mid-portions of the side flanges into recesses in the sides of the slab.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sections taken,

SIGNS AND THE LIKE 1929. Serial No. 353,328.

respectively, on the lines 5-5, 66 and 7 -7 of Figure l, and

' Figure Sisa perspective view of the display frame before the slab is secured therein.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a slab of glass or other suitable material on the rear face of which suitabiy aflixed one or more numbers or letters 6 composing the indicia to be displayed, as by painting, etching, or cementing piece suitably shaped to form the desired indicia. Various methods are utilized for mounting the letters or numerals 6 on the slab 5, but these methods do not form the subject matter of the present invention, and so no attempt is made to illustrate or describe them herein. Preferably, an opaque ba king is placed behind the letters or nu merals 6, and secured directly to the rear face of the slab 5, and the front part of the letters or numerals 6 is colored with a color strikingly contrasting with the color of the opaque backing.

The frame forming the claimed disclosure herein is arranged to protect the edges of the slab 5 and secure the slab in fixed posi tion within the frame. As best shown in Figures 13, the frame comprises arear or body portion 7, top and bottom flanges 8 and 9, respectively, and side flanges 10 composed in the completed frame of a pair of spaced substantially parallel walls 10 and 10", and between such walls are secured infolded tabs 8 and 9 extending from the top and bottom flanges. In Figure 1 is illus trated a preferred form of making my improved frame from an integral sheet of aluminum or other desired material, the material having been blanked to shape and the tabs 8 and 9 severed from connection with any parts other than the top and bottom flanges 8 and 9. In forming my frame, I preferably first bend the end flanges 10 upwardly on the inner-most lines 11 shown in Figure 1 so that the portion forming the wall 10 is at substantially right angles to the rear of body portion 7 then the top and bottom flanges 8 and 9 are bent upwardly to positions at substantially right angles to the body portion 7 and'their end tabs 8 and 9 are folded inwardly into engagement with the outer faces of the upright wall (note Figure 2). Then the portions of the end flanges other than the walls 10 are bent outwardly and then downwardly to form the walls 10 in substantially parallel relation to the walls 10 and firmly pressing the infolded tabs 8 and 9 into engagement with the walls 10. The outer extremities of the side portions of the frame are then preferably extended ontwardly in substantially the same plane as the rear portion 7, to form securing members 12 which may be apertured as at 13 for the reception of securing elements when the frame is positioned where it is intended for use. The frame is now ready to receive the slab 5, which is formed to substantially cover the rear portion 7 of the frame and is inserted from the front of the frame until the portion 6 of the slab engages the rear portion 7 of the frame. The slab 5 is then preferably secured in such position by crimping midportions 1a of the side flanges of the frame into recesses cut in the sides of the slab 5 (note Figures 4 and 6). The crimped portions 14- snugly engage the recesses 15 to pre vent accidental dislocation of the slab 5 from its frame, and in addition, these crimped portions lt serve to lock at least some of the infolded tabs 8 or 9 in their folded positions, because of the bending of the free extremities of the tabs out of line with the remainder of the tabs. The result is a very rigid frame enclosing the edges of the slab 5 to protect the indicia 6 from dirt and moisture while holding the slab firmly within the frame so that it will not emerge from the frame even when turned with the front face of the slab extending downwardly.

The simplicity and practicability of my improved mounting for the slabs 5 is believed to be apparent. The frame may be quickly and easily shaped and formed by ordinary machinery, and will maintain its formed shape as long as desired. It is possible, however, to readily deform the frame when nec essary, as for example, to remove a broken slab 5, and the frame when so deformed, can be readily reformed by ordinary tools, such as pinchers, to enclose a new slab.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and. advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a display sign, the combination with a slab having recesses in its side edges, of a frame therefor having a rear portion backing said slab and integral side, top and bot-- tom flangesadapted to engage the sides of the slab, the top and bottom flanges being formed with infolded end tabs angularly disposed to the remainder of such flanges, and the side flanges of the frame being formed with spaced walls enclosing the inturned tabs of the top and bottom flanges, portions of the side flanges being crimped into the recesses of the slab to secure the slab within the frame.

2. In a display sign, the combination with a slab having recesses in its side edges, of a frame therefor having a rear portion backing said slab and integral side, top and bottom flanges adapted to engage the sides of the slab, the top and bottom flanges being formed with infolded end tabs angularly disposed to the remainder of such flanges, and the side flanges of the frame being formed with spaced walls enclosing the inturned tabs of the top and bottom flanges, portions of the side flanges being crimped into the recesses of the slab to secure the slab within the frame, and to lock some at least of said inturned tabs within the side flanges.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification.

IVVAN LIPKOlVSKl. 

